Europium doped Calcium fluoride (CaF2:Eu2+) nanoparticles have been synthesized by co-precipitation method using different surfactants, in which anhydrous ethanol was used as solvent and the nanoparticles was sintered in air. The self-reduction was observed in the as-prepared CaF2:Eu2+ nanoparticles and can be explained by charge compensation model based on the substitution. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray power diffraction (XRD) showed that the nanoparticles were about 50 nm-1 jtm and in a single phase. A broad emission centered at 425 nm due to Eu2+ 4f(7)-4f(6)5d(1) transition has been observed with excitation bands between 337 and 385 nm by the fluorescence spectrometer. The corresponding excitation spectra showed a wide excitation range in the violet region due to 4f(7)(S-8(7/2))-> 4f(6)5d(1)(t(2g)) The luminescent properties of the phosphor was thoroughly examined. Furthermore, the effect of using different surfactants on the sizes of CaF2:Eu2+ nanoparticles, related mechanisms was also investigated. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.